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Future Watch 2024
Our annual Future Watch edition is now 116 pages packed with info examining the prospect pipeline for each NHL club and counting down the top 100 prospects in the game. In our NHL Team Reports, you'll find scouting reports for the top 10 prospects for each organization. In addition, we take an in-depth look at two teams with the best systems: the St. Louis Blues and Detroit Red Wings. And we also have features on several of the game's best youngsters, including Matvei Michkov, Will Smith, Liam Ohgren and Adam Gajan.
SAN JOSE SHARKS
EVERYTHING THE SAN JOSE Sharks are doing right now is with the future in mind. A pair of trades made early last year by GM Mike Grier allowed the Sharks to build up their organizational depth, mainly on defense, and finishing near the bottom of the NHL’s standings in 2022 and 2023 gave the team the chance to add some elite forwards to the mix via the draft. Now, the Sharks’ prospect pool is in a much better state than it was just two or three years ago. And it will only improve after this year, especially if San Jose has some luck in the draft lottery this time around. B | RANK: 13TH 1. WILL SMITH OVERALL 3 C, 18, 6-0, 181 Boston College (HE) 29–16–29–45–8 2023 draft, 4th overall Smith is enjoying a solid freshman season…
EDMONTON OILERS
WHEN A TEAM BOASTS two elite players, it’s incumbent on management to surround them with win-now talent. The Oilers have made just seven picks in the past two drafts, which has left the prospect cupboard somewhat barren, but they do have a couple prospects knocking at the door and hope to turn some late-rounders into success stories. “When we drafted guys like Ryan McLeod and Stu Skinner in the second and third round, those are the picks you need to have depth in your kids,” said Keith Gretzky, Edmonton’s assistant GM and GM of AHL Bakersfield. D+ | RANK: 32ND 1. XAVIER BOURGAULT OVERALL 97 RW, 21, 6-0, 185 Bakersfield (AHL) 44–6–10–16–20 2021 draft, 22nd overall After a solid summer of off-season training, Bourgault has evolved into an all-situations player. He’s now skating on the top line and…
Q&A Chris Zimmerman
W. GRAEME ROUSTAN: I’ve known you for a long time, and here you are, this is a Stanley Cup-winning franchise. I mean, that’s pretty good. CHRIS ZIMMERMAN: I started as an ad guy and found my way into sports, and then, interestingly, from Nike I found my way into hockey, which, obviously, as a former player, what more could you ask for? But it wasn’t, “Oh yeah, I’m going to get myself into hockey. I’m going to get the chance to work in the NHL.” I still pinch myself. I started in New York City and advertising and spent 11 years doing that, and I learned a lot. I mean, I feel like I learned the foundation of my whole career, which is all about brands and how you create relationships.…
VANCOUVER CANUCKS
IN A BOTTOM-LINE NHL, where winning is everything, it’s tough to come out on top while protecting prize prospects. But this season, the Canucks are not only winning – they sat first overall in the NHL standings as the league broke for the All-Star Game – they won plaudits for not parting with top prospect Jonathan Lekkerimaki in the Jan. 31 trade for versatile center Elias Lindholm from Calgary. The Canucks did part with high-scoring OHL blueliner Hunter Brzustewicz, a 2023 third-round pick, in the trade package. He would’ve slotted in as the Canucks’ No. 2 prospect. But retaining Lekkerimaki was key. C+ | RANK: 21ST 1. JONATHAN LEKKERIMAKI OVERALL 11 RW, 19, 5-11, 172 Orebro (Swe.) 37–14–9–23–10 2022 draft, 15th overall Lekkerimaki overcame injuries and mononucleosis last year and gained conditioning and confidence to become a sensation…
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